Tea Party triggers more name-calling
Shouldn't those involved in politics value a higher level of discourse?
MELISSA STELTER, Clarion Opinion Editor
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Opinion
I was unaware that Janeane Garofalo was able to set aside time from her rather successful film and television career to obtain a degree in neurology. Furthermore, I didn't know fiscal conservativism was a neurological disorder. (That might be news to all of the "Blue Dog" Democrats in Washington.)
All sarcasm and joking aside, I was rather dismayed at Garofalo's comments. Vitriolic dialogue such as this certainly will not help to heal the political rift that currently polarizes our nation.
As a third-party supporter (I am a Libertarian), I have felt the frustration of the past eight years under George W. Bush, when people who questioned the actions of the Bush Administration were labeled "America-haters" or "soft on terrorism." I had hoped that the atmosphere would change under the Obama Administration, but sadly, this unfortunate trend of nay-saying and name-calling seems to be continuing: to wit, critics of Obama's policies must endure being called "racist," "rednecks" or (that dirtiest of all dirty words nowadays) "Republican."
The last time I checked, the First Amendment is still in effect in America. This means that individuals have the right to free expression - and the right to peaceably assemble, "and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." I find it interesting, then, that self-described "liberals" (the root of which comes from the Latin "liber" meaning "free") like Garofalo and Olbermann seem to be so upset at Americans exercising their First Amendment rights, particularly when they spent so much time (rightly) bringing attention to Bush's trampling of The Constitution during the previous administration.
One of America's greatest strengths is the diversity of its peoples and the ability to cultivate free thought and expression. The political discourse and atmosphere fostered in recent years is counterproductive to these fundamental ideals. No matter what our individual political beliefs are, the majority of Americans strive for the same goal - peace, enlightenment and prosperity for our nation - we merely disagree about how those aims can best be achieved at times.
As Abraham Lincoln famously indicated, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." To begin to solve the many issues besieging our nation, Americans need to stop engaging in petty squabbles, sanctimonious pontification and name-calling in order to cooperatively work out our problems, creating a better future for ourselves and those who come after us.
All sarcasm and joking aside, I was rather dismayed at Garofalo's comments. Vitriolic dialogue such as this certainly will not help to heal the political rift that currently polarizes our nation.
As a third-party supporter (I am a Libertarian), I have felt the frustration of the past eight years under George W. Bush, when people who questioned the actions of the Bush Administration were labeled "America-haters" or "soft on terrorism." I had hoped that the atmosphere would change under the Obama Administration, but sadly, this unfortunate trend of nay-saying and name-calling seems to be continuing: to wit, critics of Obama's policies must endure being called "racist," "rednecks" or (that dirtiest of all dirty words nowadays) "Republican."
The last time I checked, the First Amendment is still in effect in America. This means that individuals have the right to free expression - and the right to peaceably assemble, "and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." I find it interesting, then, that self-described "liberals" (the root of which comes from the Latin "liber" meaning "free") like Garofalo and Olbermann seem to be so upset at Americans exercising their First Amendment rights, particularly when they spent so much time (rightly) bringing attention to Bush's trampling of The Constitution during the previous administration.
One of America's greatest strengths is the diversity of its peoples and the ability to cultivate free thought and expression. The political discourse and atmosphere fostered in recent years is counterproductive to these fundamental ideals. No matter what our individual political beliefs are, the majority of Americans strive for the same goal - peace, enlightenment and prosperity for our nation - we merely disagree about how those aims can best be achieved at times.
As Abraham Lincoln famously indicated, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." To begin to solve the many issues besieging our nation, Americans need to stop engaging in petty squabbles, sanctimonious pontification and name-calling in order to cooperatively work out our problems, creating a better future for ourselves and those who come after us.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tim Nerenz
posted 5/30/09 @ 2:19 AM CST
Unfortunately, those like Ms. Garafalo who ridicule the Tea Party protesters can't dismiss the facts about taxes and spending.
The federal government's tax revenues cover only half of the amount the government will spend this year. (Continued…)
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